Advice

There are many factors which can effect the quality and taste of your coffee - the way you store your beans; effective machine cleaning, to the way you froth your milk. Here are some helpfull hints and tips....

Coffee Storage

 To get the best from your coffee, follow these simple rules…..

• Oxygen is the biggest enemy of coffee, and if left exposed it will stale in 12 hours.

•  Make sure once the bag has been opened it is sealed again tightly away from strong smelling foods. If kept in the fridge it will prolong the life of the coffee up to 7 days.

• Don’t overfill the bean hopper as it is not air tight. 1kg bag will do 100-150 Espressos so only open what you need.

• Only grind coffee as and when it is needed as ground coffee will not stay fresh.

• If there is a sudden change in coffee quality, check that the grinder is set at the right level.

Machine Cleaning 

As opposed to an automatic coffee machine which tells you it needs cleaning, traditional espresso machines require a more hands on approach to cleaning...To get the best from your Espresso Machine, follow these simple cleaning steps to ensure each coffee you produce is as good as the first.

GENERAL CLEANING:

The machine surfaces should be cleaned with a damp cloth and a non - abrasive cleaner on a daily basis.

Special attention should be given to areas with frothed milk splashes which if left will result in permanent stains.

STEAM ARM:

The steam arm will become coated in dried milk and this should be wiped clean with a damp cloth regularly during normal daily operation. The holes in the end of the steam arm should be kept clear to ensure good steam production. The steam arm nipple can be removed to aid this process. Care should be taken not to misplace the seal above the nipple. A mild solution of Puly Caff powder and warm water (1 teaspoon of powder to 500 ml of water) can be put in a glass and the steam arm placed in it to soak. This should soften any dried milk making removal easier. Soaking should only be done while the machine is on and only for ten minutes.
Do not soak when machine is off and cooling down.

GROUP HEADS:

Daily: Before turning the machine off at the end of the day use a group head cleaning brush to remove any coffee residue from the spray plates and seals. Next insert the cleaning blank into the filter holder. Place the filter holder in the group head and press any drink button on the key pad. Run for 10 seconds and then press the drink button again. Repeat this process four more times. Follow this process for each group head.

Weekly: Before turning the machine off at the end of the day insert the cleaning blank into the filter holder. Insert a teaspoon of Puly Caff cleaner into the blank. Place the filter holder in the group head and press any drink button on the key pad. Run for 10 seconds and then press the drink button again. Repeat this process five more times or until the flow from the exhaust is white. Remove the filter older from the group head and rinse out any surplus powder. Place the filter holder back into the group head and press any drink button on the key pad. Run for 10 seconds and then press the drink button again. Repeat this process until the flow from the exhaust is clear water only.  Follow this process for each group head.

A Guide to Frothing Milk

To be able to froth milk, follow these simple rules-

   Fill the jug about one third full with milk
• Position the tip of the steam wand in the milk near the bottom
• Open the tap for the steam
• Move the jug so that only the tip of the spout is submerged in the milk
• This is the tricky bit – if you bring it too close to the surface you will start to get large bubbles and there is a risk of splattering milk everywhere – conversely, if it is not close enough to the surface you will not draw in any air and you will not get any froth!
• Try to position the spout so that you make a whirlpool motion in the milk
• As the froth starts to build the level of the milk will rise. You must lower the jug as it rises to keep the tip near the surface and continue drawing in air
• Once you have the amount of steam you want, move the wand very slowly and smoothly down into the milk towards the bottom of the jug. This will distribute the froth through the milk and heat the remaining milk as well
• And lastly, each time after using the steam wand, make sure you wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove any milk and froth.